Pumping the Positivity: from rugger to fighter.

· rugby,cancer,beauty,breast cancer,motherhood

Meet Liz Tague: a 2x fighter, rugby player, adoring wife, and new mom. Hear her story on how meeting Kara back in college enabled two "ruggers" to become sisters over something they would have never chosen and how Fighting Pretty helped Liz fight cancer and stay positive through her fight.

I met Kara on the rugby pitch in college in 2000 - she was freshman and I was senior. This was a time when we chose to beat up our bodies for fun. Kara has always had an amazing spirit and energy. I recall several years after graduating that she was diagnosed with breast cancer and it just broke my heart. She was too young, but I was so thankful she fought and WON. At that time Kara was my only connection to breast cancer until 2011.

And just like that, only eight months after getting married, I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 32. I recall emailing Kara my news and feeling guilty that I too had breast cancer. She responded with love and support. Although we had not spoken in years she sent me a package of goodies including a set of pink boxing gloves. I tease her now that I received one of the first “Pretty Packages!”

My motto through my journey is “Pumping the Positivity” as in everyday life attitude is everything, I refused to roll over and give up. With the support of my husband Brian and amazing family and friends I fought the good fight and WON!

In June 2016, we found out we were pregnant! We were very excited to start this next chapter of our lives, and were ready to put cancer behind us. Just about eight weeks later on August 2, we received the unfortunate news that the cancer had returned. Needless to say, we were devastated, but were "Pumping the Positivity." So Brian and I spent the better part of August with many different doctors to see if in fact I could be treated for breast cancer and remain pregnant. The answer was YES!

With each doctor visit, we breathed a little easier. Once again, I received four rounds of chemo during the pregnancy and thanks to modern medicine and the power of prayer we had a healthy baby boy, Liam Brian born at 39 weeks. Shortly after he was born, I started four more rounds of chemo and finished with 25 rounds of radiation.

No one should have to deal with cancer once let alone twice. However, I consider myself one of the lucky ones…I survived twice and have my life back. There are too many people that lose this battle -and that is who I fight for every day. I continue to Pump the Positivity and Fight Pretty because there are those who no longer have that opportunity to enjoy their life.

"There are too many people that lose this battle - and that is who I fight for every day." Liz Tague, 2x breast cancer survivor

Fighting Pretty is an amazing organization that simply wants woman to feel good inside and out. Imagine if we all made this our mission every day!!!! Thank you Kara for caring….I am honored to have met you all those years ago on the rugby pitch and will continue to try and help others feel strong and beautiful through their fight with cancer and spread the word about Fighting Pretty.